Brett Favre Out Vs Bears: Joe Webb To Start

Interim Head Coach of the Minnesota Vikings Leslie Frazier has decided to go with rookie Joe Webb a sixth round draft pick 199th overall of this years NFL draft from the University of Birmingham-Alabama (UAB) to play against the Chicago Bears Monday night according to the Star Tribune.

Brett Favre has been beaten, battered, had ankle issues, shoulder issues, hip issues and the list goes on. First I want to say the man is an athletic anomaly. At 41 years old the man has shown his ability to hang in a professional realm of sports and endure the harsh environments and road trips of being an NFL-caliber quarterback.

But, everyone's time has to come and this could be it. He has played through injury, and suited up to try and give his team the best chance to win. Tavaris Jackson, the backup quarterback, is sidelined as well with a turf toe. I don't want to place value on an injury, but this goes to show you Favre's mental toughness. Marvin Pryor delivered a nasty shot to Favre, that resulted in him seeing a recreation of Woodstocks from Charlie Brown and a nasty shoulder injury. It looks as if he has taken his final snap as an NFL quarterback.

A little about Joe Webb—playing for the UAB Blazers in 2008 as his first term at QB, he passed the Conference USA record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season with 1,021 yards. He was also ranked fourth in the nation for rushing yards for a quarterback. He was voted a permanent season team captain by his Blazer teammates at the end of the season.

As a junior Webb became the first player in NCAA history to pass for more than 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 in consecutive seasons. Webb was ranked in the top 12 nationally of three statistical categories—total offense (fifth), rushing (10th) and passing efficiency (12th).

Webb finished his 2009 season with 2,299 passing yards and 1,427 yards on the ground, the latter the third-highest season total by a quarterback in NCAA history. For his career, Webb had 5,771 passing yards and 2,774 rushing yards for a total of 8,545 offensive yards. Webb also registered 37 passing touchdowns, 24 rushing touchdowns and four receiving scores. Webb wasn't invited to the 2010 NFL combine.

Working out as a wide receiver at UAB pro day, Webb turned in numbers that would have bested the cream of the rookie crop at the combine. His vertical jump of 42.5 inches was better than any turned in by a receiver in Indy. His long jump of 11 feet, 5.5 inches also would have led the way.

And Webb's bench press—21 reps at 225 pounds—was the best at his position. Only one other receiver managed 20 reps at the same weight, according to UAB athletic department. Webb also ran the 40 yard dash in a fast 4.43 seconds.

Could we see a new rebuilding program in Minnesota? This kid sounds like he has the tools to be a good NFL quarterback with the right kind of guidance. With a team on the block for a possible move to Los Angeles, he could be the key to the Vikings staying put.